Intro
There are some recipes that just seem too simple to share. Some, that for one reason or another I’ve deemed unworthy of a snapshot and a spot on these pages because of their ease and well, because they seem too ordinary.
I think about this as I make these so-called “humdrum” recipes again and again and again. Then I realize, these are the very recipes that should live here because they are the ones that feed our days. They aren’t set aside for celebrations that mark the passing of a year, the birth of a baby or ones that are tinted with twinkling lights on a pine scented tree. These are the ones that are consumed in the rush to get out the door for school. The ones that silence the 3 o’clock “I’m huuuuuungry” moans. The ones that get made again and again because it’s good not because it heralds many ingredients, is covered in chocolate and touts the latest in seasonal feasting. It’s the very sort of recipe that I want to share so you too will have something to fuel the spaces in your everyday. There’s room here for those too.
Coconut Date Shake
These were born after a recent visit to Palm Desert, more specifically Shield’s Date Garden. There I shared a date shake with my mom under the filtered shadows of palm branches. They use ice cream but I wanted something that had a bit more heft and less sugar because well, I wanted to drink it for breakfast. You know I love my ice cream but I was thrilled that here, I didn’t miss it at all. Use the freshest, softest dates you can find. If there are a little tough it may require more time in the blender.
Serves 2
1/3 cup creamy peanut or almond butter
5 pitted, soft medjool dates
3/4 cup coconut milk
1 1/2 cups ice
pinch salt
Combine everything in a blender then blend until completely smooth.
This looks amazing. I need to mix up my morning smoothies choices. Great post.
Looks sooo yummy!
oh…this sounds so yummy. I’ll have to try this, even though getting my hands on good dates here in Ottawa is hard at times.
Try Mid East Food @ St. Laurent & Innes, great selection of dates & tea, and a good place to find more obscure ingredients too.
Ah I love these recipes! The kind that make you happy with the simplicity of them and are the most satisfying : )
This sounds delicious! I have never been much of a date person, but in the past few months they have been really growing one me. I have been making home-made lara bars and using dates and cashews as the base of the bar. So I will definitely have to add this to my list of things to make, I love smoothies for breakfast so this sounds perfect!
Thanks for sharing the super simple recipes, too! This one looks like a winner. Can’t wait to see your beautiful book 🙂
Can’t wait to try this! I love using dates in smoothies and shakes.
I love super simple recipes and I just made the shake. It’s amazing. My three and four year olds thought so too! 🙂
Is that canned coconut milk or the kind for drinking? Also could you just soak tougher dates?
I’ve used both but find that the kind for drinking works best. Soaking the dates is a great idea!
I made one last night and one this morning for breakfast! The one last night I blended all of the ingredients at once, but it was kinda chunky and didn’t sufficiently puree the dates for my liking. So this morning I blended everything except the ice first until really smooth, then I added the ice. Smooth drinkin’ deliciousness! Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
do we have a calorie or nutritional count on this???
Ooh lovely! Nothing beats a good milkshake!
Yum! We have a bunch of dates in the cupboard and my husband loves coconut – this is a must try!
I love really easy recipes! And yes … the 3pm ‘Moooommmm! I’m starrrrving! What’s for dinner?’ calls need handled by a super quick and super healthy snack! I love that this is full of protein and naturally sweetened … that’s a perfect shake if I’ve ever seen one! 🙂
This looks and sounds amazing! Perfect on a hot summer day. [Only one question remains: where to find a palm tree here in Finland…]
This looks so tempting and the photography is stunning!
Looks thick and so delicious! Must try 🙂
Simple recipes are the best, and this one looks delicious!
Simple or not, I just had a “I need this immediately” moment. Looks soooo good. Going to make one now…
That’s the perfect reaction!
And we are so glad you did share this because it looks like a wonderful recipe. It’s yet another reason why I need to get a blender… I know, I know, it’s a shame I don’t already have one.
I’ve been on a date kick recently, and seeing that I adore anything with coconut, I’m pretty sure I’ll love this.
I was without a blender for years until I finally got my Vitamix. Your life will change. 🙂 And hey, thanks for commenting.
I am so glad you did decide to share this simple recipe! I tried it for dessert last night and it was divine, and not a combination I would have stumbled across myself!
Truly a treat, thank you!
Love Shields! Isn’t that place a hoot? I think this would be great with Almond butter, too.
Basically you just combined all of my favorite things in a shake form!
I love those Shields date shakes! I recently also posted about Shields because I bought a 5kg tub of the date crystals to bring with me to Canada. Really excited to use them. Do you have any ideas regarding interesting date crystal usage?
My post is here:
http://www.margauxbucher.com/new-blog/2014/5/2/five-things-may-2-2014
Thanks! Always look forward to your posts.
Margaux
More humdrum recipes please. You are so right – they’re the ones that we all enjoy making. For years to come. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow, this is PERFECT! I just bought some dates the other day and have been craving smoothies as the weather gets warmer… and I’m hungry at 3pm. I just made this and it really hits the spot. Thank you!
Coconut milk as in from a can, or from a hermetically sealed container?
Either works. I find that the can has more flavor but I’ve done both.
I LOVE dates and I LOVE smoothies!!! I think I shall try with almond butter (Justin’s Maple Almond Butter would be perrrrrrfect) first, since the PB will likely overshadow all the other flavors. Thanks for sharing! I love hum-drum… esp when something is as good as this looks 🙂
This sounds awesome…!!!
I love the date shakes at Shields! They were are family favorite of ours growing up. Can’t wait to try this healthier version. Thanks!
The beautiful thing about this is, yes, it is simple, but the pairing is unique. I would never think of mixing those ingredients and letting the nuances of them meld together like this. It is recipes like this that can elevate food from mundane to marvelous and I, for one, love it!
I used almond/coconut milk blend. Recipe says it serves two-I consumed the whole thing-so delicious!
Just made this for a breakfast treat for myself and my toddler. We both loved it!! Absolutely delicious. It will go into our regular rotation 😉
It is always exciting to see the new twists our customers come up with on our old favorites. I tried your recipe a few days ago and really enjoyed the combinations.
Thank you for visiting us, we hope you’ll be back again to see us.
Yadira – GM
I enjoy this shake. It’s not super flavorful, but it is very refreshing and the texture is great. Totally puts me on an island somewhere:) Thanks for sharing!
I am a sucker for smoothies and I am a sucker for anything that has coconut in it!! So basically this is just my kind of smoothie 🙂
Looks delicious! I am making this for my mom and her boyfriend tonight. I am going to soak the dates for about an hour before and then make it for dessert. Perfect for a healthy alternative to the kid’s ice cream! Thanks!
Just made it, excellent! I did half almond butter & half peanut butter…yum
Wow! This is the best shake EVER! So thick and creamy 🙂 I halved the recipe and it was just perfect for one. This is my first time on your blog and I am so excited to try more of your creations!